Nest site selection and aspects of the reproductive biology of the pygmy sculpin (Cottus paulus) in Coldwater Spring, Calhoun County, Alabama

Abstract – Imperiled pygmy sculpins are known from only one locality in Alabama, USA. One conservation strategy for the species is the creation of another population by introducing the species into a suitable habitat. Before such action is considered, however, an understanding of the life history, including reproductive biology and habitat use, of the species must be obtained. In this study, nesting of pygmy sculpins was found to peak in July, although the species has an extended reproductive period. Preferred nesting sites had higher flow and shallower water depth than the surrounding habitat. Pygmy sculpins readily used artificial nest substrates that were introduced into the spring run, where natural nest substrate was uncommon. ^Note     

Nest site characteristics and nest loss of Marsh Grassbird at Zhalong National Nature Reserve,China

The Marsh Grassbird Locustella pryeri is an uncommon songbird endemic to East Asia. Suitable nest-site selection can minimize nest loss, especially for open-cup and ground nesting passerines. We locate...     

Resistance gene analogs associated with Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most destructive diseases in wheat. Identification of resistance gene analogs (RGAs) may provide candidate genes for cloning of FHB resistance genes and molecular markers for marker-assisted improvement of wheat FHB resistance. To identify potential RGAs associated with FHB resistance in wheat, 18 primer pairs of RGAs were screened between two parents (Ning7840 and Clark) and seven informative RGA primer combinations were analyzed in their recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Five PCR products amplified from three primer combinations showed significant association with FHB resistance, and their sequences are similar to the gene families of RGAs. Three of them (RGA14-310, RGA16-462, RGA18-356) were putatively assigned to chromosome 1AL and explained 12.73%, 5.57% and 5.9% of the phenotypic variation for FHB response in the F₇ population, and 10.37%, 3.37% and 4.53% in F₁₀ population, respectively; suggesting that these RGAs may play a role in enhancing FHB resistance in wheat. Analysis of nucleotide sequence motifs demonstrated that all the RGA markers contain a heat shock factor that initiates the production of heat shock proteins. A sequence tagged site (STS) marker (FHBSTS1A-160) was successfully converted from RGA18-356, and validated in fourteen other cultivars. Significant interaction between the quantitative trait locus (QTL) on 1AL and the QTL on 3BS was detected. The marker FHBSTS1A-160 in combination with markers linked to the major QTL on 3BS could be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for enhanced FHB resistance in wheat.     

From risk assessment to sediment management an international perspective

Contaminated sediment management is complex and multivariate, involving a careful balance of science, politics and economics. As is true for most such complex issues, there is not a single correct way to address a problem, but rather the approach should be driven by the ecological, political and economic goals of all interested parties. However, because the choices made have far-reaching implications, it is useful for countries, regions or communities to develop standard approaches for sediment assessment and management to meet agreed-upon goals. This paper provides a brief review of a number of sediment assessment frameworks from around the world. Their main similarities and differences, and some of the reasons behind them, are addressed. Aspects of assessing and managing sediments are discussed, as well as why these are (or should be) driven by sediment management goals. Finally, suggestions are made to support the development of a European framework for sediment management and environmental quality. This paper was originally an invited address for the Risk Management and Communication Workgroup WG5 at the European Sediment Research Network (SedNet) Inaugural Conference, Venice, Italy, April 22–23, 2002     

Permanent–soil monitoring sites for documentation of soil‐fertility development after changing from conventional to organic farming

For monitoring soil fertility after changing farm management from highly conventional to organic farming on the newly established research farm of Kassel University, two permanent–soil monitoring sites were installed in 1999. Representative locations for installing the permanent–soil monitoring sites were selected using geographical information systems (GIS), based on available data from geology, topography, soil taxation, land use, and intensive auger‐borehole records and analysis with a very high spatial resolution of data. The soils are represented by a Luvisol derived from loess and a Vertisol developed from claystone. The soil properties of the two monitoring sites measured immediately after changing to organic farming showed high contents of extractable nutrients as a result of the former intensive fertilization practice during conventional farm management. The microbial soil properties of the two monitoring sites were in the medium range of regional soils. A first evaluation of the development of soil properties was done after 5 y of monitoring. The soil organic‐matter content increased slightly after grass‐clover and after application of farmyard manure. The amounts of K and P decreased clearly at the loess site without application of farmyard manure. At the clay site, the unique application of farmyard manure led to increasing contents of extractable K and P in the top soil. The variation of soil properties increased clearly after perennial crops like grass‐clover and in years after application of farmyard manure.     

The use of artificial breeding chambers as a conservation measure for cavity-nesting procellariiform seabirds: a case study of the Madeiran storm petrel (Oceanodroma castro)

Procellariiform seabirds are amongst the most severely threatened taxa worldwide. Whilst the specific threats vary among species, problems such as introduced predators, loss of suitable nesting habitat and inter- and intra-specific competition for nest sites are common to many situations. This paper reports on an experiment to increase the availability of secure nest sites at a colony of Madeiran storm petrels breeding on an islet (free from introduced predators) in the Azores islands where there is evidence of inter-specific competition. The provision of nest boxes that were designed to exclude larger species led to around a 12% increase in the size of the breeding population in the first year and a 28% increase over the original colony size in the second year. Over three seasons, the breeding success of storm petrels nesting in boxes averaged 2.9 times greater than that of birds at natural sites, despite their likely reproductive inexperience. The techniques presented here should serve as a model for conservation management of other burrowing procellariiform species in situations where colony size or breeding performance is believed to be constrained by nest site quality.     

渭北黄土高原不同立地上刺槐根系分布特征研究

采用土钻法对渭北黄土高原地区的主要造林树种刺槐的根系分布特征进行了调查研究。结果表明 ,不同立地上的刺槐根系分布特征具有明显的差异 ,阳坡立地上的根系密度和生物量均小于阴坡立地 ;不同林龄根系分布在深度上没有明显的差异 ,但是其根系的生物量和根系密度具有明显的差异。不同立地上刺槐的根系消弱系数 (root extinction coefficient)β值之间也存在明显的差异。阴坡立地的β值均在0 .982以上 ,而阳坡立地上的β值则一般小于 0 .982 ,说明阴坡立地上的刺槐根系分布深度要大于阳坡立地。其细根 (Φ <1mm )的分布深度大于较粗根系 (Φ <3mm )的分布深度 ,有利于刺槐对深层土壤中水分、养分的吸收 ,适应干旱环境 ,促进地上部分的正常生长     

Soil Conservation Through Sediment Trapping: A Review

Preventing the off‐site effects of soil erosion is an essential part of good catchment management. Most efforts are in the form of on‐site soil and water conservation measures. However, sediment trapping can be an alternative (additional) measure to prevent the negative off‐site effects of soil erosion. Therefore, not all efforts should focus solely on on‐site soil conservation but also on the safe routing of sediment‐laden flows and on creating sites and conditions where sediment can be trapped. Sediment trapping can be applied on‐site and off‐site and involves both vegetative and structural measures. This paper provides an extensive review of scientific journal articles, case studies and other reports that have assessed soil conservation efforts and the sediment trapping efficacy (STE) of vegetative and structural measures. The review is further illustrated through participatory field observation and stakeholders' interview. Vegetation type and integration of two or more measures are important factors influencing STE. In this review, the STE of most measures was evaluated either individually or in such combinations. In real landscape situations, it is not only important to select the most efficient erosion control measures but also to determine their optimum location in the catchment. Hence, there is a need for research that shows a more integrated determination of STE at catchment scale. If integrated measures are implemented at the most appropriate spatial locations within a catchment where they can disconnect landscape units from each other, they will decrease runoff velocity and sediment transport and, subsequently, reduce downstream flooding and sedimentation problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.